France Meets Philadelphia
Lynn Miller and Therese DolanOne highly visible example of French influence on the city of Philadelphia is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, modeled on the Champs-Élysées. In Salut!, Lynn Miller and Therese Dolan trace the fruitful, three-centuries-long relationship between the City of Brotherly Love and France. This detailed volume illustrates the effect of Huguenots settling in Philadelphia and 18-year-old William Penn visiting Paris, all the way up through more recent cultural offerings that have helped make the city the distinctive urban center it is today.
Salut! provides a magnifique history of Philadelphia seen through a particular cultural lens. The authors chronicle the French influence during colonial and revolutionary times. They highlight the contributions of nineteenth-century French philanthropists, such as Stephen Girard and the Dupont family. And they showcase the city’s vibrant visual arts community featuring works from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the Joan of Arc sculpture, as well as studies of artists Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt, and Henry Ossawa Tanner. There is also a profile of renowned Le Bec-Fin chef Georges Perrier, who made Philadelphia a renowned culinary destination in the twentieth century.
With lavish illustrations and enthusiastic text, Salut! celebrates a potpourri of all things French in the Philadelphia region.
“I have learned much about the intertwined history of the United States and France that was not taught in my elementary school classes. The publication of Salut ! adds considerably to the literature about this rich relationship. The oeuvre is thoroughly documented, with many beautiful images of both historic locations and works of art. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in history and politics, art, Franco-American relations, and especially the deep connections between France and the Philadelphia region.”—Michael Scullin, Honorary Consul of France in Philadelphia and Wilmington
“Salut! reveals the profound impact of France on the visual culture of Philadelphia—on the physical spaces, public sculptures, art collections, and artistic traditions that are such a vital part of the urban landscape. But the book does much more than this. Miller and Dolan take us back to the origins of the city, revealing how deeply French culture was woven into American political, philosophical, and artistic life from the very beginning. Packed with historical detail, and highly readable, this is an essential source for anyone interested in Philadelphia and its rich visual history.”—Martha Lucy, Deputy Director for Research, Interpretation and Education, The Barnes Foundation
“Philadelphia is a city with numerous hidden treasures, one of the most fundamental being our long-standing relationship with France. More than just an environmental or aesthetic influence, French culture is deeply intertwined with Philadelphia’s evolution from a colonial hub into a modern pioneer of world heritage. Salut! is an homage to the storied rapport between a global powerhouse nation and a multicultural city, recounting bounteous examples of French heritage, culture, and culinary pursuits in Philadelphia. We are most fortunate to have scholars Lynn Miller and Therese Dolan share stories and examples of the centuries of comradery shared by France and Philadelphia.”—Zabeth Teelucksingh, Executive Director, Global Philadelphia
"Salut! provides readers with a wonderful glimpse into the French flair that Philadelphia has proudly brandished for centuries. As a coffee table book or a serious academic study, it’s accessible to a wide variety of readers. And for anyone who has wanted to take pride in Philadelphia’s French roots, it’s a must-read."
—Philadelphia Gay News
"(A) gorgeous book about the French influence in our city’s history and culture from its foundation to the present times. Beautifully written and illustrated.... (T)he detailed descriptions of the paintings and comparisons with their European models read like a museum tour with an expert docent."
—On the House
"This impressive book should be of special interest to people living in Philadelphia and the region, as well as anyone planning to travel to the city for tours and visits."
—Philadelphia Magazine
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